North Melbourne and Richmond will battle it out to avoid being on the bottom of the ladder in Dustin Martin’s return.
After a promising mid-season turnaround in form, the Kangaroos (2-17, 65.1%) are coming off three-straight losses – albeit to Geelong, Carlton and Sydney – while Griffin Logue and George Wardlaw will miss through injury.
The Tigers (2-17, 63.7%) have dropped six in a row as Martin returns from a back complaint for his first game since Round 16 alongside Toby Nankervis and Jack Graham.
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There were no late changes, with Robert Hansen Jnr (North Melbourne) and Kamdyn McIntosh (Richmond) named the starting subs.
It was all Richmond early including Steely Green mowing down Colby McKercher to kick the opening goal.
The Tigers could only add one more goal to their tally despite the ball living in their half, with Kangaroos legend David King on Fox Footy noting Richmond “should have a three or four-goal lead with this dominance.”
North was able to turn around momentum midway through the term including Will Phillips kicking the home side’s opening goal.
Seth Campbell capitalised on a Roos turnaround to launch a long-range goal, but the Roos instantly responded with a goal from clereance through Luke Davies-Uniacke.
“This is the power North have at clearance, this is going to be a weapon for years,” King said.
Richmond led 3.4 (22) to 2.2 (14) at the first change.
“It’s a pretty simple equation – if they go at 20 inside 50s per quarter, you would think inevitably Dustin Martin and Shai Bolton will get hold of you,” King said of Richmond’s territory dominance.
Hawthorn champion Jason Dunstall acknowledged the Kangaroos’ “dangerous signs,” but thinks they fought their way back into the contest.
This match gets underway at 1.45pm AEST from Marvel Stadium.
Watch it live on Fox Footy (channel 504) from 1.30pm AEST.
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Source Agencies
